Introduction
Hinduism is currently regarded as one of the oldest and the largest religions in the world. Even though Hindu religion is mainly found in India, it is practiced in a significant number of countries in various parts of the world. It is estimated that there are more than one billion Hindus globally and the number is gradually increasing. According to one of the studies that were recently released by the Pew Research Center, the number of Hindus will grow to 1.4 billion by 2050, making it the third largest religion in the world after Christianity and Islam. The religion will account for nearly 14.9% of the total world population by 2050 (Press Trust of India, 2015). Therefore, Hinduism one of the religions that are dominant internationally and they continue to grow with time. Like any other religion, Hinduism has a long history, and it is based on specific doctrines that make it unique, especially when compared to other religious organizations.
The History of Hindu Religion
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, and its history dates back to about 5,000 years ago. Even though a significant number of Hindus argue that their religion is timeless and did not start at a given time, religious scholars and historians maintain that it started between 2300 BC and 1500 BC, specifically in the Indus valley (Das, 2018). Unlike other religions such as Islam, Hinduism is not associated with a given or specific founder as it emerged due to the fusion of various beliefs. Hinduism is a synthesis of some spiritual traditions as well as beliefs. Initially, it was argued that the religion was brought to India by the Aryans who settled in Indus valley in around 1600 BCE (Das, 2018). However, the theory has been refuted by many scholars who argue that the principle of Hinduism developed because of the interaction of groups of people who lived in the Indus valley.
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Traditional, the term Hindus, which was derived from River Indus, was used to define cultural beliefs that were practiced by people who were living along the river. Later, it was used to describe a set of religious beliefs when people in Northern India started experiencing civilization around 2500 BCE. The Aryans who invaded Indus Valley in 1600 BCE played a critical in spreading the religion (Das, 2018). The Aryan culture and traditions blended with those of indigenous people in Indus Valley, leading to the beginning of Hindus religious practices. One of the significant periods in the development of Hinduism is known as Vedic, and it lasted between 1200 BCE and 900 BCE. Religious scholars and historian believe that the major tenets of the religion were written during the Vedic period.
The period between the 4 th and 6 th century is regarded as the golden age of Hinduism development because the religion experienced a massive widespread in various parts of India, and it increasingly became a dominant religious organization in the country (Das, 2018). Hinduism became established during this period. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi played an active in sustaining the dominance of Hinduism during the Indian’s colonization period when the British wanted to convert Indians to Christians. Hence, Hinduism has a long history, and it is still one of the major religions of the world.
Basic Doctrines of Hinduism
Hinduism is mainly based on henotheistic, which means that its followers worship one deity. However, Hindus still recognize the existence of other gods and goddess. As a result, it is a collection of many religious beliefs. The primary Hindu doctrine is called Dharma, which is based on the notion that only the righteous will emerge victorious and people should strive to tell the truth all the time ( Borkataky-Varma, 2015) . Dharma is the doctrine that is used by Hindus to maintain personal and social order. Besides, it ensures that human life is in harmony with nature. Also, the doctrine of Dharma is used by Hindus to differentiate right from wrong as well as good from evil.
The second major doctrine is known as Avatara or incarnation, which is aimed at maintaining righteousness, especially when Hindus lose virtue. Hindus rely on the doctrine maintain righteousness while encouraging people to be hopeful in life. The third doctrine is Moksha, which is aimed at attaining spiritual freedom ( Borkataky-Varma, 2015) . It encourages Hindus to be work hard and to understand others to avoid conflict. Besides, Hindus believe that wisdom is not exclusively possessed certain people or religion in the society. Hence, Hindus are allowed to practice their religion based on their spiritual understanding and competence. Some doctrines guide Hindus.
Location of Hinduism in History
Historically, Hinduism was located in India, in a specific place called Indus Valley (Das, 2018). It gradually spread to other parts of India, making it the dominant religion in the region. Besides, it became a dominant religion in other countries such as Nepal, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. The religion further spread to other parts outside Asia such as the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, and Canada. The religion is now practiced in almost all parts of the world.
Conclusion
Hinduism originated in Indus Valley in India before spreading to other parts of the world. The number of Hindus has been increasing gradually, and the religion is experiencing moderate growth. It is currently the third largest religion in the world based on numbers. Hindus are guided by many doctrines that ensure that they live a righteous and meaningful life.
References
Borkataky-Varma, S. (2015). Hinduism Beliefs & Practice: Major Deities and Social Structures, Volume 1. By Jeaneane Fowler. The Journal of Hindu Studies , 8 (3), 324-326.
Das, S. (2018, April 11). The Origins of Hinduism. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/theories-about-the-origin-of-hinduism-1770375
Press Trust of India. (2015, April 3). Hinduism to become world’s third largest religion by 2050: Report. Indian Express. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/hindus- to-be-worlds-third-largest-population-by-2050-report/
